Bai Qi

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Bai Qi (Simplified Chinese: 白起) (?-257 BC) was an outstanding military leader in the state of Qin in the Warring States Period. Born in Mei (now the Mei County in Shanxi Province, China). As a commander of Qin for 30 years, Bai Qi slew more than 1 million soldiers, seized 70 cities of the other 6 States in the Warring States Period. No record has been found to show that he was defeated even once all through his military career.

[edit] Career

He was promoted from Zuo Shu Zhang to Da Liang Zao by King Zhao of Qin. He had commanded wars against the states of Han, Wei, Zhao and Chu, seizing large areas from these states. In 278 BC, he led the army from Qin to capture Ying, capital of the state of Chu. In reward of this he was named Sir Wu An (which means "bring about peace using military power"). In the Battle of Changping he defeated the army (commanded by Zhao Kuo) from Zhao and killed (buried alive) more than 400 thousand prisoners. In 257 BC he was hated by the then Prime Minister Fan Ju and was forced to commit suicide in Yin Mi.